Biochemistry is one of the most influential areas in science. It explores the chemical processes within living organisms by understanding what is happening at molecular level and studying biomolecules like carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. The molecular knowledge has helped us to learn about the biological processes which take place in cells and organisms, study the properties of biological molecules for a variety of purposes, find uses for biomolecules and produce new products for applied usage.
The discipline has made vital contributions to the fields of cell biology, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, microbiology, immunology, nutrition, forensic science, and toxicology. Thus, research in biochemistry has contributed crucially in medicine, industrial application, agriculture and food production.
The department of Biochemistry was originally founded in the Faculty of Medicine in 1963. The teaching was later taken over by the Faculty of Science in 1997 under the Institute of Biological Sciences and introduced as the programme of Biochemistry. The programme has successfully produced graduates for 24 years and becoming one of the best undergraduate programmes in the country.
Duration: 4 Years (8 Semester), Full Time (Coursework)
Programme Structure
Basic Entrepreneurship Enculturation
English Language / Foreign Language**
Co-Curriculum
Science, Technology and Society
Bioethics and Safety
Biochemistry of Cells
Principles of Biochemical Techniques
Elective Courses: SHE Cluster 4 - Global Issues and Community Sustainability: Making the World a Better Place
Philosophy and Current Issues / Malay Language Communication*
English Language / Foreign Language**
Co-Curriculum
Statistics
Fundamentals of Chemistry
Introduction to Computational Biology
Basic Physics
Elective Courses: SHE Cluster 3 - Technology / Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics: i-Technie
Appreciation of Ethics and Civilizations
Structure and Function of Biomolecules
Metabolism and Regulation of Carbohydrate and Lipids
Protein Biochemistry
Practical Biochemistry I
Elective Courses: Program (EP):
Nutritional Biochemistry
Toxicology
Functional Anatomy and Physiology
Metabolism and Regulation of Amino Acids and Nucleotides
Elective Courses: Student Holistic Empowerment (SHE): SHE Cluster 1 - Thinking Matters: Mind & Intellect
Elective Courses: Program (EP):
Post-Genomic Technologies and Bioinformatics
Biochemistry of Cancer
Neurochemistry
Design Thinking and Knowledge Transfer
Elective Courses: Program (EP):
Plant Molecular Biology
Natural Product Biochemistry and Drug Discovery
Glycobiology
Computational Biochemistry
Fundamentals of Biochemical Pharmacology
Structural Biology Techniques
Epigenetics and RNA Biology
Note:
*Only for international students
**Student whose native language is English
Career Prospects
Biochemist, Biomedical Scientist, Clinical Research Associate, Laboratory Technician, Pharmaceutical Scientist, Toxicologist, Geneticist, Research Scientist, Biotechnology Consultant, Forensic Scientist, Quality Control Analyst, Food Safety Analyst, Molecular Biologist, Microbiologist, Environmental Scientist, Medical Science Liaison, Health and Safety Officer, Science Communicator, Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Academic Researcher.
Tuition Fee
Local (SATU)
RM 52,100
(Note: This fee is not applicable for UPU applicant)
International
RM 70,600
(Note: Not inclusive of 6% Sales and Service Tax (SST))
Intake
Semester 1 (October) Intake
Semester 2 (March) Intake
Note: Subject to the availability of the programme offering.
Entry Requirement
STPM (Science Stream)
Malaysian citizen
Obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.00
Obtain at least a Grade B- in TWO (2) of the following subjects at STPM level: Biology and Chemistry
Matriculation / Foundation (Science Stream)
Malaysian citizen
Obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.00
Obtain at least a Grade B- in TWO (2) of the following subjects at Matriculation/Foundation level: Biology, Chemistry
STAM
Not Offered
Diploma / Equivalent (science stream)
Malaysian citizen
Possess a Diploma from a Public University (IPTA) / ILKA / Polytechnic /IPTS or other qualifications recognized by the Government of Malaysia and approved by the Senate of the University Malaya, with a minimum CGPA of 3.00.
Obtain at least a Grade B- in TWO (2) of the following subjects at Diploma level: Biology, Chemistry
UM (SATU) Foundations
Malaysian citizen
Obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.00
Obtain at least a Grade B- in TWO (2) of the following subjects at UM SATU Foundation level: Biology, Chemistry
GCE A-Level
Malaysian citizen
Obtain a recognized GCE A-Level qualification
Obtain at least a Grade B in TWO (2) of the following subjects at GCE A-level: Biology, Chemistry
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Malaysian citizen
Obtain a minimum score of 30 points
Obtain at least Grade 5 (HL) / 6 (SL) in subject Biology and Chemistry
AUSMAT
Malaysian citizen
Obtain a minimum score of 80 in the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).
Obtain at least a Grade B in any TWO (2) of the following subjects at the AUSMAT level: Biology, Chemistry
STPM (not from the current year)
Malaysian citizen
Obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.00
Obtain at least a Grade B- in TWO (2) of the following subjects at STPM level: Biology, Chemistry
Matriculation/Foundation (not from the current year)
Malaysian citizen
Obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.00
Obtain at least a Grade B- in TWO (2) of the following subjects at Matriculation/ Foundation level: Biology, Chemistry
Senior High School Certificate
Pass with a minimum average of 65%
Obtain a minimum of 60%/grade B- in the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry
Matriculations/Foundations
Obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.00 from a recognized institution approved by UM Senate
Obtain a minimum of grade B- in the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry
Diploma
Obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.00 from a recognized institution approved by UM Senate
Obtain a minimum of grade B- in the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry
GCE A-Level
Obtain a recognized GCE A-Level qualification
Obtain a minimum of grade B in the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Obtain a minimum score of 30 points
Obtain at least Grade 5 (HL) / 6 (SL) in the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry
AUSMAT
Obtain a minimum score of 80 in the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR)
Obtain a minimum of grade B in the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry
Additional Requirement
Candidates who apply must be physically fit, not suffering from any mental or physical illness and able to follow the program of study designed for this course.
English Language Requirements
Obtain a minimum of Band 3.0 in MUET for examinations starting from Session 1 of the year 2021, or Band 3.0 for examinations up to the year 2020, according to the validity period on the date of application
Applicants without MUET but with the following results may be considered for conditional admission, provided they fulfil MUET requirement within ONE (1) academic session:
Obtain at least Band 4.5 (Academic) in IELTS; or
Obtain a minimum score of 33 in TOEFL iBT (Centre-based)